Page 46 of Forever Always

“I’m just sayin’ this because if you’re gonna be around, you need to know. Ri and I, we’re . . . well, I don’t know what the fuck we are yet, but we’re explorin’ our feelings for each other and it’s not as brothers, if you get my meanin’.”

“You know you don’t have to spill your whole life to me, right?”

I grimaced. “I do if you’re gonna be an asshole about it. I don’t care about me, but if you make Riley feel bad or like he’s a freak or disgustin’, I will have a fuckin’ issue. Whether or not you have feelings for Jay.”

“Riley’s a consenting adult, right? Nobody was forced?”

I fisted my hands, my nails diggin’ into the skin. I was probably gonna bleed. “Of course nobody was forced. I’d never do that to Riley. He looks young, but he’s an adult.” It was a normal question. He wasn’t accusing me of anything, and after takin’ a breath and calmin’ myself, I was able to realize that.

Dakota put his hands up in a truce. “Sorry. That came out wrong. All I meant was as long as everyone is an adult and consenting, I don’t give a fuck. You’re not hurting anyone. I promise I won’t make Riley feel like crap for it. Whatever you guys decide you are to each other. “

“We’re everything. I don’t think I need another label than that.”

Dakota looked up, squinting, like he could see something in this alley besides dumpsters and dirt. “That’s fair.” He held out his hand again. “So truce?”

I tipped my lips up in half a smile. “Truce.” We shook hands and then Dakota went inside. I took another minute and followed him in.

CHAPTER 18

RILEY

My eyes opened when I felt the bed sag and someone crawl in next to me. I smiled sleepily as Becks rubbed noses with me.

“Hey,” I whispered into his lips as I tilted my head so it wasn’t just our noses touching. I still couldn’t believe I was allowed to do that.

“Hey. How was work?”

“It was great. Exhaustin’, but I made a shit ton in tips and my coworkers seem cool. How were your shifts?”

Becks raised an eyebrow and nipped at my lip. “I know you were usin’ Jay to spy on me.”

I shrugged, not at all sorry. “You know I just wanna make sure you’re okay.”

He relaxed into the mattress and wrapped his arms and legs around me, and brought me close.

“I know. But it was okay. I struggled a little but I got through.”

“I’m proud of you, baby.”

Becks snorted, his nose wrinkling.

“Where’s Jay?”

Becks grinned. “He’s spending the night at Dakota’s.”

“Dakota? Oh, is that the nurse?”

“Yeah, apparently, they’ve been talking. He even came to the bar tonight.”

That was interesting. Jay never spent the night at someone’s house besides ours.

“So that means we have the place all to ourselves.”

My heart was pounding a mile a minute. Did that mean what I wanted it to? I wanted to ask but I was also afraid of pushing Becks.

Becks buried his face in my neck. “You always smell so good.”

“I showered when I got home.”

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